Cologne burn centre experience with assault burn injuries |
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Authors: | P Theodorou TA Spanholtz P Amini CA Maurer TQV Phan W Perbix R Lefering G Spilker |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Merheim-Hospital University of Witten-Herdecke, 51109 Cologne, Germany;2. Institute for Research in Operative Medicine (IFOM), University of Witten-Herdecke, 51109 Cologne, Germany;3. Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital of Liestal, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | ObjectiveTo evaluate demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with assault burn injuries.BackgroundAssault by burning demonstrates a rare but severe public health issue and accounts for unique injury characteristics in the burn intensive care unit (BICU).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients with thermal injuries admitted to the BICU of a university hospital. The patient cohort was divided into two groups (ABI group: patients with assault burns, n = 41; Control group: population of all other burned patients admitted to the BICU, n = 1202). Bivariate and multivariate analyses including demographic and socioeconomic data were used to identify factors associated with assault burns.ResultsForty-one assault-related burn victims were identified in the study period. This represents 3.3% of all significant burns admitted. Comparing battery victims with the control population, assault patients were more likely to be young (mean age 36.2 years vs. 42.2 years) and immigrants (41.5% vs. 15.1%). Furthermore, marital status (65.9% vs. 40.8% singles), employment status (36.6% vs. 9.7% unemployed) and insurance status (41.5% vs. 12.3% social insurance) were significantly different in the bivariate analysis. Logistic regression evaluation identified three variables that were independently associated with assault burns: younger age (≤25 years) (odds ratio, 2.54 95% confidence interval, 1.29–5.02]; p = 0.007), ethnic minority (odds ratio, 3.71 95% confidence interval, 1.91–7.20]; p < 0.001) and unemployment (odds ratio, 4.02 95% confidence interval, 2.03–7.97]; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe high incidence of youngsters, unemployment and the great proportion of immigrants in victims of assault might provide several opportunities for community-based psychosocial and occupational programs. A multidisciplinary approach targeting issues specific to the violent nature of the injury and the socioeconomic background of the victims may be of benefit to improve their perspectives for rehabilitation. |
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Keywords: | Assault burn injury Epidemiology |
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